Study Questions:

Methods:

This was a pooled analysis of patient-level data from two randomized trials. Data from the TWENTE study (Real-World Resolute Versus Xience V Drug-Eluting Stent Study in Twente) conducted between June 2008 and August 2010, and the DUTCH PEERS trial (Durable Polymer-Based STent CHallenge of Promus Element versus ReSolute Integrity in an All Comers Population) conducted between November 2010 and May 2012, were used to examine patient-reported chest pain symptoms in men and women at 1 and 2 years of follow-up. All subjects were admitted for PCI with either stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndromes. In both trials, the majority of patients were treated for complex target lesions and had off-label indications for DES use. Additional outcomes included adverse events at 1 and 2 years.

Conclusions:

The investigators concluded that although the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events was low and similar for both sexes, women reported significantly more chest pain.

Perspective:

The data from these two trials support prior observations of higher rates of chest pain among women. Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms behind this difference in chest pain symptoms.